Arsenal 1 Manchester City 1: City manager Manuel Pellegrini admits 'Arsenal still have a chance of winning the Premier League'

The title remains in City's hands because of their games in hand

Manuel Pellegrini makes a gesture from the touchline (EPA)

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini is confident his side can keep the destiny of the Premier League title within their own hands after having to make do with a point at Arsenal, but also admitted that the Gunners still had a chance after the draw.

City could have moved ahead of Chelsea at the top of the table on goal difference after the Blues suffered a shock 1-0 defeat at Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon.

However, despite taking an early lead in the late kick-off at the Emirates Stadium through David Silva, it was the Gunners - thumped 6-0 by Chelsea last weekend - who raised their game to draw level in the second half through Mathieu Flamini, and indeed only a fine reaction save from England goalkeeper Joe Hart on the hour denied Lukas Podolski what could well have proved the winner.

Liverpool can take advantage if they beat Tottenham at Anfield on Sunday to go two points ahead of Chelsea. However, City still hold two matches in hand on their rivals, although both they and Jose Mourinho's side also have to travel to Merseyside.

Nevertheless, Pellegrini knows the formula for success remains simple.

"The most important thing is that we depend on ourselves until the end of the season," said Pellegrini, whose side had won 3-0 at Manchester United in midweek.

"I see it exactly the way I saw it at the beginning of the season - I said it would be a close league with three or four teams fighting for the title.

"It was not a chance to go top because we could have won and then Liverpool could have won on Sunday and gone top. They were two points ahead of us going into the game, now just one.

"Arsenal still have a chance to fight for the title - we will see which team does things better from now until the end."

Midfielder Jesus Navas insists the City players remain confident.

The Spaniard said to City TV: "The team is working really well, we are in a good position and we have matches in hand as well, so we are very positive."